New MOT regs from today 20th March

[Spiny Norman]

Seems today's the day when all the new regs for the MOT become 'real'.

Warning lights for things like stability control, brake fluid and electric steering must work, steering lock is checked, dust covers on ball joints, wiring, headlamp wash/wipe and levelling (where HIDs are fitted), all sorts of new stuff.

 

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-servicing-repair/mot-changes-2012.html

 

A lot of motors out there are probably on their last MOT before the scrapyard beckons...

[flat4alfa]

Quite likely

 

Most of these items will be on the advisory notes if the tester is decent. Was warned about the Maxi's ball-joint rubbers two years back.

[Junkman]

What the hell are stability control, electric steering, headlamp wash/wipe and levelling (where HIDs are fitted)???

That not yet mentioned doors must properly open and close is much more of a concern.

[Negative Creep]

A working steering lock is a big problem for me, since the pikeys who tried to steal the car broke it. How would you replace it - a new steering column?

[meggersdog]

Bugger I have an Alfa with the airbag light on and it doesn't show as a fault on my scanner.

The MOT is due next month too.

[JohnDeere]

headlamp wash/wipe and levelling (where HIDs are fitted)

 

Does that mean the crappy dazzling aftermarket HIDs fitted to barried-up Corsas will be consigned to the bin? Or is that a bit too optimistic?

[Ben_L]

Bugger I have an Alfa with the airbag light on and it doesn't show as a fault on my scanner.

The MOT is due next month too.

 

As far as I'm aware, the light doesn't have to work, it just can't be on all the time. So, remove the bulb and plead ignorance*.

 

I'm sure I'll be corrected though, but that's how I've read the pre-release stuff from the MOT people... It's not like the ABS light where they'll time it to make sure it's to spec, so you can even link it to your ABS light I think and get away with it**

 

 

 

** I take no responsibility for MOT failure!

[oldford]

Bugger I have an Alfa with the airbag light on and it doesn't show as a fault on my scanner.

The MOT is due next month too.

 

Take the bulb out or blank over it, then it'll only get an advisory for a non functioning light.

[messerschmitt owner]

no steering lock on my smart roadster! How will they figure out the transmission lock that it has instead?

[dollywobbler]

Presume there's a written message for the tester on Smart (and Saab?) transmission locks. Only applies to post-2001 vehicles anyway, so shouldn't worry most of us on here.

[Morgan84]

No longer is the ABS sequence a test item, just must not indicate a fault and must work. Airbag lamp does not have to illuminate, but will only fail if a fault is indicated; so if someone was to have a 'blown bulb', it is not for the tester to know,although an advisory may be issued. Steering lock if not fitted is not a problem, as other means of immobilisation such as the Saab type transmission lock or other suitable immobilisation device is fitted. Speedometer must be illuminated, so blown bulbs may be a problem, but there are ways around that ie a external lamp shining onto the face of the clock would in my opinion be pass and advise providing it was powered by the vehicles own power supply